SENATE President, David Mark, on Thursday, said Nigeria is ready to conduct the general election as scheduled.

Mark, who stated this while playing host to the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Sean Hoy, added that the Nigerian authorities were conscious of the impression of the international community on the country.

He stated that the government would do nothing to undermine national interest, adding that the country was prepared for a smooth, transparent and peaceful conduct of the elections.

Mark also dismissed insinuations that the government was ill prepared for the elections, saying that the initial postponement was necessitated by security challenges and delays in the distribution of permanent voter cards (PVCs).

He said the outcome of the elections, if it had held in February, would have been unfair, as over 23 million Nigerians were yet to get their PVCs.

According to him, the postponement was necessitated by some failures on the part of the electoral umpire, while it also afforded the military time to tackle insurgency.

“For now, things have positively improved and Nigerians are happy that the coast is clear for the conduct of credible elections that would be acceptable and in conformity with international standard.

“All stakeholders are pleased with the development and I am sure the outcome of the polls would reflect the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians,” he said.

Mark then urged the international community to show understanding and cooperation with Nigeria in its bid to actualise a free and fair election.

The Irish Ambassador, in his response, stated that Nigeria occupied strategic position in the global community, adding that the situation made the Nigerian election to generate interests around the globe.

He recalled that bilateral ties between Ireland and Nigeria had existed over the years, as, according to him, about 40,000 Nigerians currently live in Ireland.

He equally pledged the cooperation of his home government towards a successful conduct of the general election.